2007 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon- USA, California, Napa Valley (10/20/2010)
Initially the nose shows some primary and simple fruits. Reminds me of that mess called McMannis. Air helps this a bit. After about 45 minutes this shows some weak black fruits with some vanilla, tar and flowers. There is a flabbiness about this that is very un-Mondavi-like. Seems a bit thin in body–and acidified too, almost fake. A bit of puckering thrown in for bad measure. There is some chalkiness on the finish. I am quite familiar with Robert Mondavi’s house style and this one does not fit it. Maybe this is better in a leaner year? I will try this again in 6 months. I expected more. Maybe I can best sum this up by saying that it drinks like a 15-20 dollar wine, and in my estimation, one of the strengths of this wine has always been its ability to drink above its class.
Bill, you know me, I so wanted to like this. Maybe I was a bit rough, but the final sentence sums me up, as does your $20 comment, so maybe my expectations for this on '07 was higher than usual.
Thanks Bill. I liked the 06 RM, and do like the 07 Guess. I get asked all the time of a nice drinking cab/blend in that $20-25 range… I always suggest Chappellet MTN cuvee as well.
Coincidentally, likewise. I blind tasted the two next to each other and prefered the EG by a wide margin. I also prefer the 06 Mondavi to the 07, but didn’t think the 07 was as bad as your experience.
Had the 07 RM, and really was disappointed, even for a sub $20 wine. Agreed with the comment that it was thin and overly acidic. Educated Guess is a substantially better drinking wine IMHO
I am surprised by the lack of love for this. I bought 18 bottles of this after a sampling. Incredible qpr at the 20 I paid. In my opinion, even better than the 06. I personally think that this is the best 20 Cali cab out there.